I need suggestions on the problem of removing an old hot water heater, and getting a new one in place. I have what I assume is the original hot water heater located in the compartment behind the engine and below the pedestal. Access is severely limited, and requires hanging by my heels and working head down either from the rear or starboard cockpit hatches. The floor boards inside the compartments make this a contortionist's assignment, as I learned last week working on the water system. I checked the archives but did not find any descriptions of how the old hot water heaters are removed, or the new one installed, or anything relating to size limitations. Anyone done this? Is there a way to get into the compartment to work? Does it have to be done from above? One owner near me at the marina suggested the panel on the starboard side of his engine compartmentcan be removed entirely for easier access, but I suspect that one of our boats has been modified and we face different situations. I don't want to weaken the bulkheads by hacking away. I am looking into a flash heater for installation in the shower, but still face the problem of dealing with the old tank and leaking connections in the existing compartment. Ideas? Experience? Thanks in advance... Sanders s/v Good News
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Bill O'Donovan
Idea
Perhaps instead of replacing it you could add a new one elsewhere. Sailors do this frequently with fuel tanks that are too tough to remove. This is called the "Vietnam Strategy," declaring victory on a pretext.
Perhaps instead of replacing it you could add a new one elsewhere. Sailors do this frequently with fuel tanks that are too tough to remove. This is called the "Vietnam Strategy," declaring victory on a pretext.
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Ed Schenck
Remove interior bulkhead.
Sanders, the issue of the q-berth inside bulkhead has been covered and should be in the archives. Even directions for making the cuts. After 1980(or 81) all H37Cs had the removable access panel on the engine's port side. Most of us have made the cuts to remove that panel. It just wedges against the fiberglass under the cockpit portlight. There is a trim strip about three feet forward of the back corner of the q-berth. Mine was already cut there. I only had to cut along the bottom to open up the engine room. You will be looking right at the water heater. Also makes engine/tranny oil changes and stuffing box maint. way easier. Just be careful of hoses and wires when you make the cut. Ed A. went one better. He opened up that side all the way to that corner by the sliding door, almost six feet I think. You might consider one of the new instant hot water heaters, the kind that store almost no water. They are very small and can be put almost anywhere. I know Tom H. is considering one so that he can use the current space for a generator.
Sanders, the issue of the q-berth inside bulkhead has been covered and should be in the archives. Even directions for making the cuts. After 1980(or 81) all H37Cs had the removable access panel on the engine's port side. Most of us have made the cuts to remove that panel. It just wedges against the fiberglass under the cockpit portlight. There is a trim strip about three feet forward of the back corner of the q-berth. Mine was already cut there. I only had to cut along the bottom to open up the engine room. You will be looking right at the water heater. Also makes engine/tranny oil changes and stuffing box maint. way easier. Just be careful of hoses and wires when you make the cut. Ed A. went one better. He opened up that side all the way to that corner by the sliding door, almost six feet I think. You might consider one of the new instant hot water heaters, the kind that store almost no water. They are very small and can be put almost anywhere. I know Tom H. is considering one so that he can use the current space for a generator.
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scott
Sanders, I have an '85 model
with removable access panels on both sides of the engine. I can't remember if the starboard panel can still be removed or whether wires etc have been anchored to it. But the port panel in the quarter berth just drops out when a couple of flanges are turned. The quarter berth bulkhead does not appear structural since it is not glassed in at the top to the cockpit floor. My acess panel is the entire hight of the bulkhead and about 2 feet wide. AS Ed said, the water heater is right there, jsut inboard of the acess panel, behind the engine, above the shaft. PO installed a cockpit shower in the aft side of the starboard cockpit locker, hot and cold knobs and a pull out shower hose/head. You might consider this project if you are doing some re-plumbing. Scott
with removable access panels on both sides of the engine. I can't remember if the starboard panel can still be removed or whether wires etc have been anchored to it. But the port panel in the quarter berth just drops out when a couple of flanges are turned. The quarter berth bulkhead does not appear structural since it is not glassed in at the top to the cockpit floor. My acess panel is the entire hight of the bulkhead and about 2 feet wide. AS Ed said, the water heater is right there, jsut inboard of the acess panel, behind the engine, above the shaft. PO installed a cockpit shower in the aft side of the starboard cockpit locker, hot and cold knobs and a pull out shower hose/head. You might consider this project if you are doing some re-plumbing. Scott
some ideas
I cut the starboard wall out and put a two pannel removable wall in. then i cut the port wall open as ed says about 6 feet. both fit back in very tightly on fiddles with screw down latches. to get the heater out you go in from the port side to disconnect it then pull it out to the starboard. I think ist worth having it where it is because it is space well used. the hardest part of the job is getting you nerve up t do it. I cut new pannels for the starboard side from A-c exterior ply and coated with epoxy before installation. while your at it put a light in there. Its dark! good luck. Ed A
I cut the starboard wall out and put a two pannel removable wall in. then i cut the port wall open as ed says about 6 feet. both fit back in very tightly on fiddles with screw down latches. to get the heater out you go in from the port side to disconnect it then pull it out to the starboard. I think ist worth having it where it is because it is space well used. the hardest part of the job is getting you nerve up t do it. I cut new pannels for the starboard side from A-c exterior ply and coated with epoxy before installation. while your at it put a light in there. Its dark! good luck. Ed A
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Jim Legere
Mine came out..
Sanders, My hot water heater came out relatively easily through the starboard cockpit locker. On my '83, all I had to do was undo a half dozen or so screws holding the plywood and sound proofing that divides the engine compartment from the cockpit locker. I am 220 lb.+, but I had no trouble getting in there and getting the water heater out. I imagine just about any of the 6 gallon heaters on the market would fit in there. Good luck! Jim Legere S/V CALYPSO
Sanders, My hot water heater came out relatively easily through the starboard cockpit locker. On my '83, all I had to do was undo a half dozen or so screws holding the plywood and sound proofing that divides the engine compartment from the cockpit locker. I am 220 lb.+, but I had no trouble getting in there and getting the water heater out. I imagine just about any of the 6 gallon heaters on the market would fit in there. Good luck! Jim Legere S/V CALYPSO
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JimW
measure - it may fit
Measure out the existing water heater - mine was able to fit through the existing opening in the starboard cockpit locker. It had barely enough clearance, but did make it through. I installed an Isotemp back through the same opening.
Measure out the existing water heater - mine was able to fit through the existing opening in the starboard cockpit locker. It had barely enough clearance, but did make it through. I installed an Isotemp back through the same opening.
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Sanders LaMont
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D. Prior
Hot water heater
I have a 1984 Hunter 37. I have replaced the hot water heater twice since 1984. The original heater came out through the starboard engine panel hatch and out through the locker. think that was in 1995. The first replacement was a vertical 5 gallon Raritan (?) heater which I think was designed for an RV. It went in through the same panel. The second replacement, 2002, is a horizontal stainless steel heater of 6 gallons (I think). I bought it through West Marine or Boat US. It also went in through the starboard engine panel hatch. I have never had to cut the hatches larger The only problem I have noticed with the horizontal heateris that I no longer have access to the shaft strut bolts. That has not been a problem (yet). I have installed and removed through the starboard side with all the wiring and plumbing done through the hatch on the port side. A messy job but really not too difficult once you get started. When you have the old heater out be sure to check the strut bolts and the shaft packing tube while you are in there. It is easier without the heater in place. Fair winds. Don
I have a 1984 Hunter 37. I have replaced the hot water heater twice since 1984. The original heater came out through the starboard engine panel hatch and out through the locker. think that was in 1995. The first replacement was a vertical 5 gallon Raritan (?) heater which I think was designed for an RV. It went in through the same panel. The second replacement, 2002, is a horizontal stainless steel heater of 6 gallons (I think). I bought it through West Marine or Boat US. It also went in through the starboard engine panel hatch. I have never had to cut the hatches larger The only problem I have noticed with the horizontal heateris that I no longer have access to the shaft strut bolts. That has not been a problem (yet). I have installed and removed through the starboard side with all the wiring and plumbing done through the hatch on the port side. A messy job but really not too difficult once you get started. When you have the old heater out be sure to check the strut bolts and the shaft packing tube while you are in there. It is easier without the heater in place. Fair winds. Don
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